Regular dental visits are very important because they keep your teeth and gums healthy. Only a dental professional can remove plaque build-up from those hard-to-reach places that regular brushing and flossing can’t get.

Everyone has plaque. It’s the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and multiplies deep below the gum line. When you eat or drink, some of the particles get stuck on and around your teeth. If you don’t remove them, the bacteria in your mouth will break down the particles into acids, and those acids will eat away at the enamel and cause tooth decay.

Plaque not only causes cavities, it also causes periodontal (gum) disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Call Coast Dental North Fort Myers today at (239) 731-8811 to schedule a teeth cleaning in North Fort Myers.

Teeth Cleanings and Gum Therapy

Many people who come in to our dental office in North Fort Myers think of a teeth cleaning as just the polishing of the tooth enamel above the gum line. But problem-causing plaque often exists below the gum line, too. If the bacteria is not removed, it can destroy the bone supporting your teeth, causing the teeth to loosen and fall out.

The type and frequency of the type of teeth cleaning and dental care you need depends on your dentist’s diagnosis.

Prophy: Patients who just need to have their teeth cleaned above the gum line to remove plaque, calculus and surface stains receive a prophylaxis teeth cleaning – the kind that most insurance companies cover. This type of treatment does not address periodontal (gum) conditions.

Gingivitis Therapy: Patients diagnosed with gingivitis, a reversible form of gum disease, may need additional services to remove plaque build-up on the teeth and just below the gum line.

Scaling & Root Planing (SRP): Patients diagnosed with active periodontal (gum) disease require treatment above and below the gum line to treat the infection. These patients typically receive SRP, a non-surgical treatment that removes bacteria and smooths out exposed root surfaces. Our dentist or hygienist at Coast Dental North Fort Myers may also apply an antibiotic to treat the infection-causing bacteria.

Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal disease is a systemic disease like diabetes that requires careful monitoring. Our dentist in North Fort Myers may prescribe a periodontal maintenance routine to provide dental cleanings above and below the gum line to help manage the disease and keep it from becoming worse.